Digital memo recorder having removable memory unit for vehicle interior

ABSTRACT

A digital memo recorder for a vehicle interior is disclosed. The digital memo recorder includes a digital audio recorder coupleable to an accessory unit of the vehicle interior. The digital audio recorder is configured to receive audible sounds from the vehicle interior. The digital memo recorder further includes a memory interface configured to receive a removable memory unit. The digital audio recorder is configured to digitize the audible sounds and to store the digitized data on the removable memory unit.

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/233,384, filed Sep. 18, 2000, titled “DIGITALMEMO RECORDER HAVING REMOVABLE MEMORY UNIT FOR VEHICLE INTERIOR.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to systems for vehicleinteriors. More specifically, the present invention relates to arecording device for a vehicle interior. More specifically yet, thepresent invention relates to a digital memo recorder having a removablememory unit for a vehicle interior.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Typically, when in a vehicle traveling to and from work or iftalking on a cellular telephone, errands, appointments, telephone calls,or other chores which require future activity are brought to theattention of or are thought of by the driver. In the past, for recordingsuch items for future reference, a vehicle operator may have carried amemo pad which can be attached to the dashboard and removed for jottingdown such items. In some instances, armrest consoles may includebuilt-in memo pads or writing surfaces for listing such items. U.S. Pat.No. 4,875,229 discloses a visor mounted telephone and an analog tapeanswering and recording machine. Such a device has the usual complicatedcontrols associated with an analog recorder and does not allow randomaccess to a recorded message.

[0004] Recently, portable digital recording devices have becomeavailable for recording short messages, such as reminder memos to one'sself, and can be conveniently carried in a pocket of the user. Althoughsuch devices provide a useful function, they can easily be left behindin pockets of clothing not worn or set aside and left in the office orhome. Further, they do not allow for random access to any desiredmessage. Also, with traffic increasing and highway speeds rising,fumbling with a pen, paper, or loose communication device can bedangerous.

[0005] Furthermore, memo recorders do not provide a user with aconvenient way to transfer the recordings to various other devices. Memorecorders do not provide removable memory modules, nor do they allow forthe removal, replacement, and interchange of memory modules with thememo recorder. A user may desire to remove or interchange a memorymodule for use with other devices such as desktop computers, recorders,etc.

[0006] Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a digital memorecorder having a removable memory unit. It would further beadvantageous to provide a digital memo recorder which would provideremovable memory modules, as well as facilitate the insertion, removal,replacement, and interchangeability of memory modules. It would furtherbe advantageous to provide a digital memo recorder providing an occupantof a vehicle interior with easy and convenient use of the digital memorecorder.

[0007] The teachings herein extend to those embodiments which fallwithin the scope of the appended claims, regardless of whether theyaccomplish one or more of the above-mentioned needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a digital memorecorder for a vehicle interior. The digital memo recorder includes adigital audio recorder coupleable to an accessory unit of the vehicleinterior. The digital audio recorder is configured to receive audiblesounds from the vehicle interior. The digital memo recorder furtherincludes a memory interface configured to receive a removable memoryunit. The digital audio recorder is configured to digitize the audiblesounds and to store the digitized data on the removable memory unit.

[0009] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a methodof recording digital audio messages in a vehicle interior. The methodincludes receiving an audio message from within the vehicle, convertingthe audio message to a digital format, and storing the audio message ona removable memory unit.

[0010] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to anaccessory unit for the interior of a vehicle. The accessory unitincludes an accessory unit base coupleable to the interior of a vehicle,a digital audio recorder coupled to the accessory unit base configuredto receive audible sounds from the vehicle interior, and a memoryinterface configured to receive a removable memory unit. The digitalaudio recorder is configured to digitize the audible sounds and to storethe digitized data on the removable memory unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The invention will become more fully understood from thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeparts, in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle including a visorincorporating the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the visor shown in FIG. 1, shownin a lowered, sun blocking position;

[0014]FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of a sectionof the visor shown by detail line III in FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 3taken along lines IV—IV of FIG. 3;

[0016]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a visor incorporatinga microprocessor controlled digital voice recorder of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 6 is an electrical circuit diagram in block and schematicform of the circuit of the device shown in FIG. 5;

[0018]FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a visor incorporatingyet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a visor having a digital memorecorder according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0020]FIG. 9 is a side view of the visor of FIG. 8;

[0021]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a visor having a digital memorecorder having an extendable memory interface according to an exemplaryembodiment; and

[0022]FIG. 11 is a side view of the visor of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,420 (“Memo Visor”), U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,241(“Visor Assembly”), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,340 (“Trainable RFTransmitter Including Attenuation Control”) are herein incorporated byreference in their entirety.

[0024] Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown a vehicle 10, suchas an automobile, having a windshield 12 above which there is mounted avisor assembly 20 of the present invention. Shown is the driver's sidevisor which includes a visor body 22 (FIG. 4) which can be of moldedpolymeric construction having a pair of halves integrally hingedtogether to form a clam-shell type construction for the body 22. Visor20 is covered by suitable upholstery material 21 to conform the visor tothe interior of the vehicle including, for example, the headliner 14attached to the vehicle roof. Visor 20 is mounted to the vehicle roof bymeans of a elbow bracket assembly 16 which can be of conventional designand which includes a visor pivot rod 18 allowing the visor to be movedfrom a raised, stored position shown in FIG. 1 to a lowered, useposition shown in FIG. 2 for providing sun blocking protection. Thevisor body includes a recess formed in a first side for receiving anilluminated vanity mirror assembly 19 (FIG. 2) which can be of the typedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,241 and which includes a cover 17 andan illuminated vanity mirror positioned behind the cover. The cover canbe pivoted between the closed position shown in FIG. 2 and an openposition exposing the mirror and providing illumination.

[0025] The visor body 22 includes a second surface on a side oppositethat of the vanity mirror assembly 19 which includes a rectangularrecess 24 formed therein for receiving a digital voice recorder 30, asbest seen in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4. Recess 24 is formed through one side ofthe visor core or body 22 and preferably has its peripheral edge coveredwith the upholstery material 21 to provide a trim appearance to therecess as seen in FIG. 3. Visor 20 further includes a trainable garagedoor opening transmitter 13 mounted to the visor body 22. Transmitter 13includes three control switches 11 for operating up to three separategarage doors or other home-based accessories. Transmitter 13 isdisclosed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,340, the disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

[0026] Mounted within the generally rectangular recess 24 of the visoris a digital voice recorder 30 which can be a self-powered,battery-operated device which is commercially available from a number ofsources. The digital voice recorder preferably is custom manufacturedfor the visor and includes a digital voice integrated circuit chip suchas an ISD 1000 AP and suitable interface circuitry. In the preferredembodiment of the invention, the digital voice recorder is coupled tothe automobile electrical system for receiving operating power. Thedevice has dimensions compatible with the insertion into recess 24 of avisor body since its thickness is less than one-half inch and itsrectangular dimensions are approximately two inches by three inches.

[0027] The visor body 22 has a recess 24 formed in the upper right-handcorner of the second surface, as seen in FIG. 1, which provides an ideallocation for the digital voice recorder 30. Recorder 30 integrallyincludes a record switch 25, a playback switch 26, a concealed speaker27, a concealed recording microphone 28, a two-color LED indicator 29indicating which mode the device is in, and a message delete switch 29.Voice recorder 30 includes these circuit elements mounted in a polymerichousing 32 having a rear surface 34 (FIG. 4) which can be attached to thinner surface 23 of visor cor 22 by means of a snap fastener 38 forsecuring the voice recorder within the recess 24 of the visor body.Other fastening means, such as Velcro, RTM, hook-and-loop fastener or anadhesive, likewise could be employed or the aperture 24 can bedimensioned such that the recorder simply snugly fits therein, althoughit is preferable to anchor it utilizing a suitable fastener. Therecorder may also be removable for replacement of the battery, if theunit is battery powered. Also, the recorder can be designed such thatthe speaker and microphone are concealed under the visor fabric withonly the operating switches and display LED exposed.

[0028] To record a message, the record switch 25 is momentarily pressedand the speaker chirps and the two-colored LED 29 illuminates red. Theoperator then speaks a message, the length of which is limited only bythe memory selected for the recorder. After recording a message, therecord switch 25 is again momentarily pressed to stop the recording. Thespeaker chirps and LED 29 turns off.

[0029] To play a previously recorded message, the operator momentarilypresses the play switch 26, the speaker chirps and the green portion oftwo-color LED 29 blinks. The first recorded message plays, and the LEDturns off. If more than one message has been recorded, the operatoragain momentarily presses play and repeats the process to play back allof the messages. If no messages remain, pressing the play switch againreturns the playback to the first message If the play switch is pressedduring message playback, the system skips to next message and beginsplayback.

[0030] To delete a previously recorded message, first the message isplayed as noted above. The operator, either during playback orimmediately following playback, actuates delete switch 29′, and amessage “Are you sure?” is played. Pressing the delete switch againwithin 2 seconds deletes the selected message and the recorder plays themessage “Message deleted”.

[0031] A digital recording device can be integrated as originalequipment within a visor 40, as shown in FIG. 5. Visor 40 includes adigital recording device 50 integrated within the body of the visor andlocated in the upper right-hand corner of, for example, the driver'sside visor illustrated. The digital recording device 50 includes agenerally oval bezel 52 for receiving and supporting the user interfacecontrols including a record push-button switch 51, which includes amicrophone indicia 53 printed on the face thereof for illustrating tothe user that it is the record switch. Also incorporated within thebezel 52 is a center located microphone/speaker 54, which can be arelatively small ceramic device which is commercially available.Further, the bezel supports a playback push-button switch 56 including aspeaker indicia 55 thereon for indicating to the user the fact that theswitch is for playing back existing messages. The bezel further supportsa delete switch 58 having indicia such as a line 59 drawn thereinindicating that it is to be used for deleting prerecorded messages.Finally, the bezel 52 supports a multicolored indicator 60 which can bea multicolored LED indicating recording playback and memory status ofthe device as described below in connection with the device's operation.The bezel 52 can be integrated into an original equipment visor 40having a folded, butterfly-type core with an oval aperture or recess 61through one side with the bezel 52 including snap-in tabs for securingthe bezel, the switches, LED's and control circuit mounted thereto intothe aperture formed in the visor body. If desired, the device 50 can beremovably mounted as in the first embodiment.

[0032] The bezel provides a neat and trim, relatively compact appearancefor the device and one which conforms to the clean appearance of modernvehicles. The push-button control switches can be conventionalpopple-type switches or other relatively small switches, although it isdesirable to have the record and playback switches have a controlsurface size which is relatively large and significantly larger than thedelete switch to provide a convenient control for operation of thedigital recording device. Thus, switches 51 and 56 each occupyapproximately one-third of the area of the bezel and are significant insize with respect to the bezel. By orienting the switches in asubstantially linear fashion within the bezel 52 with the record switchon the left, the play switch spaced apart and on the right with thedelete switch centered, an easily remembered tactile control is providedfor the digital voice recorder to allow its use without the need for thedriver to remove his or her eyes from the road during use. For suchpurpose also, the center area 57 of the bezel 52 can be recessed in aconcave fashion to further tactilely separates switches 51 and 56. Thebezel 52 can be made of a suitable polymeric material and colored andtextured to conform the device to that of the interior of the vehicle.The switches, LED, speaker/microphone, and other electrical circuitrycan be mounted behind the bezel utilizing conventional mountingtechniques.

[0033] The electrical circuit of the digital voice recorder is shown inFIG. 6 and is centered about a microprocessor 70 programmed tofacilitate use of the three-button operation of the digital voicerecorder. Coupled to the input of microprocessor 70 is the record switch51, the delete switch 58, and the playback switch 56. Microprocessor 70is coupled to a digital voice recording chip 80 such as an ISD 1000 APand for such purpose an address and control line 72 intercouples themicroprocessor 70 with the ISD circuit 80. The microprocessor 70 is alsocoupled to a nonvolatile memory 74 which stores messages receivedtemporarily stored by the ISD circuit 80 and is controlled by themicroprocessor 70 to provide random access to such prerecorded, storedmessages. The ISD circuit 80 is coupled to the combinedmicrophone/speaker 54 for receiving voice information to be recorded andfor playing back such recorded messages.

[0034] The microprocessor 70 is also coupled to a three color LED 60,which is shown schematically in FIG. 6, as including a red LED 62indicating that the device is in a recording mode, a green LED 64indicating that the device is in a playback mode, and an amber LED 66providing notification to the user that no messages are recorded whenattempting to playback any messages or that the memory is full whenattempting to record a message. For such purpose, microprocessor 70provides a signal to diode 66 which causes it to flash, thereby makingit more noticeable.

[0035] Microprocessor 70 is programmed to receive inputs from thecontrol switches 51, 58, and 56 and provide output control signals tothe LED 60 as well as transfer information from the ISD 80 to thenonvolatile memory 74. The circuit shown in FIG. 6 is powered utilizingconventional power supply circuitry and is coupled to the battery supplyline of the vehicle with the nonvolatile memory 74 serving to retain themessages in memory even if the battery supply line is disconnectedeither inadvertently or, as in some vehicle models, after apredetermined period of time. The microprocessor thus routes messagesfrom the ISD recorder, to the nonvolatile memory and identifies repeatedactuation of switch 51 to automatically skip to the message locationcorresponding to the number of actuations of switch 56. Thus, if theoperator wishes to skip the first three stored messages, the operatoractuates pushbutton switch 56 four times, with the four pulses beingrecognized by the microprocessor to address the nonvolatile memory toretrieve and playback through the ISD 80 the fourth recorded message. Inthis matter, a relatively easily used three-button control system can beemployed to provide random access to stored messages which otherwise isnot easily available through either analog devices or previously knownportable digital devices.

[0036] Microprocessor 70 is also programmed to recognize the actuationof record switch 51 to initiate a recording sequence and actuate LED 62indicating to the operator that a recording is in process. Themicroprocessor, at the same time, polls the nonvolatile memory 74 toassure that there remains existent memory for such recording and, in theeven that the memory is full, it extinguishes record light 62 indicatingto the operator that memory has been exceeded. With the utilization ofthe nonvolatile memory 74 in connection with the ISD circuit 80,however, a sufficient amount of memory is typically available severalmessages.

[0037] Microprocessor 70 also detects the actuation of the delete switch58 which, when actuated, will delete a message previously played.Successive actuation of the delete switch 58 will continue deletingmessages in descending order. Thus, if the operator has reviewed messagetwelve and actuates delete switch 58 three times, the microprocessorrecognizes the command as deleting messages twelve, eleven and ten andreassigns th memory locations for future messages which are located atthe end of the message chain such that the most recently recordedmessages will be last in the sequence. The microprocessor, however, canbe programmed in any desired manner and such that, when the playbackswitch is actuated the first time, the earliest or first message isplayed. In response to such actuation of switch 56, the green light LED64 will be actuated during the course of the message playback. Themicroprocessor recognizes the end of the message and discontinuesplayback upon playback of the first message. Actuating the play switchtwice will automatically, as noted above, skip the first message andaccess the second stored message.

[0038] Although the digital voice recorder 50, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6,is preferably mounted in a visor 40 as shown, which may also include anilluminated vanity mirror assembly such as shown in visor 20 of FIG. 2,recorder 50 could likewise be mounted in the hub of the steering wheelof the vehicle which also provides a convenient location as illustratedin the alternative embodiment of FIG. 7 now described.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 7, a steering wheel 90 is shown which ismounted to a steering column and may include a variety of switches andcontrols in the wheel as well as an air bag system in its center hub.Mounted in one of the spokes 92 of the wheel 90 to a surface facing thedriver is a digital voice recorder 50′ of the present invention whichincludes a bezel 52′ incorporating the same voice recorder disclosed inconnection with FIGS. 5 and 6 but is somewhat enlarged to include alower section 93 which includes the now popular HomeLink.RTM. trainabletransmitter system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,340 referencedabove. The HomeLink.RTM. trainable transmitter comprises three controlswitches 94, 96, and 98 which can be actuated to learn and train thefrequency and code of up to three existing remote controlled devices,such as existent garage door openers, gate controls or remote lightcontrols. The microprocessor employed in connection with theHomeLink.RTM. trainable transmitter can be programmed to include thefunctions of microprocessor 70 or can be a separate and independentmicroprocessor if desired.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 8, an accessory unit 100 for the interior of avehicle is shown. Accessory unit. 100 is a visor in this exemplaryembodiment, but may alternatively include a steering wheel, a dashboard,a car seat, a portion of the interior molding, etc. Preferably,accessory unit 100 is in a position near the mouth or head of at leastone passenger of the vehicle to provide optimal sound reception forreceiving audible voice sounds. Accessory unit 100 includes an accessoryunit base or body 102. Accessory unit 100 may be a TravelNote®accessory, manufactured by Johnson Controls, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis.

[0041] A digital memo recorder 104 is coupled to accessory unit base102. Digital memo recorder 104 has a half-circle-shaped body portion 105and may be recessed within base 102 or may protrude outward from base102. Advantageously, recorder 104 is recessed within body 102 to providea non-intrusive location for the components thereof. Digital memorecorder 104 may include similar components and have similarfunctionality as digital voice recorder 30 or digital recording device50, or may include other components or functions. Digital memo recorder104 is configured to receive audible sounds from the vehicle interior,to digitize the audible sounds, and to store the audible sounds in amemory, as will be described below.

[0042] Digital memo recorder 104 further includes operator input devices114 to allow the operator to control the various functions of digitalmemo recorder 104. Operator input devices 114 are illustrated as buttonsin this exemplary embodiment, but may alternatively include switches,dials, a touch-pad interface, etc., and need not necessarily byphysically located on digital memo recorder 104. Further, operator inputdevices may be configured for voice recognition of simple commands, suchas, “Play”, “Record”, “Next Message”, etc., for the operator's improvedconvenience. Operator input devices 114 include a record button 116which causes recorder 104 to begin recording audible sounds picked up bya speaker 113, digitizing them, and storing the digitized data in memoryas a digital message (e.g., a digital voice memo). A play/start button118 causes a selected digital message to begin playing from the memory.A stop button 120 causes the playback to stop. A delete button 122causes the selected message to be deleted. A previous message button 124causes a previous message to be selected. A next message button 126causes the next message to be selected. Further, input devices forfast-forwarding and fast-reversing within a digital message may beprovided.

[0043] A display may be coupled to digital memo recorder 104 to providevisual information to the operator. The display may be, for example, aliquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode display (LED), orother type of display. The display may show any type of visual data,such as a numeral representing the number of the selected digitalmessage, the amount of time (in seconds, minutes, etc.) left in amessage being played, the remaining memory (e.g., in MBs, recordingtime, etc.), or the type of data in the memory. Alternatively, othervisual data may be displayed from memory.

[0044] Advantageously, digital memo recorder 104 includes a memoryinterface 106 configured to receive a removable memory unit 108. Asillustrated in FIG. 9, memory interface 106 receives removable memoryunit 108 into an aperture 110 of a receiving portion 112 of interface106. Memory interface 106 also includes a connector (not shown) withinreceiving portion 112 configured to communicate data between removablememory unit 108 and digital memo recorder 104. Removable memory unit 108may be any type of memory storage medium, such as, flash memory,programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically erasable programmableread-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disk or tape, optical memory, orother memory media.

[0045] According to one advantageous embodiment, removable memory unit108 is a memory stick, manufactured by Sony Corp., Tokyo, Japan, andmemory interface 106 is configured to receive the memory stick andprovide communication between the memory stick and digital memo recorder104. The memory stick is a flash memory device that is easy to grasp andcarry due to its small size (e.g., approximately 1.5 inches long×0.5inches wide by 2 mils thick), provides a large amount of memory, andprovides versatility to allow use with other computing systems, such ashome computers, laptops, personal digital assistants, audio devices,etc. The memory stick includes at least 4 MegaBytes (MB) of memory, andmay include as much as 16 MB, or up to 128 MB or more. The flash memoryis reprogrammable, electrically read/write, and has a fast access time.Exemplary memory stick part numbers include the MSA-64A, MSA-32A,MSA-16A, MSA-8A, and MSA-4A, all manufactured by Sony Corp.Alternatively, flashcards, picture cards, etc., may be used.

[0046] The use of a removable memory unit enhances the performance ofdigital memo recorder 104. The storage capacity and, thus, the recordingcapacity of recorder 104 is greatly increased by the additional memoryand the possibility of using multiple removable memory units. Digitalmessages may be categorized using different removable memory units foreach category.

[0047] According to one advantageous feature, one or more digital voicemessages are recorded in the vehicle on removable memory unit 108 usingdigital memo recorder 104. The operator then removes memory unit 108 andinserts the memory unit into another computing device, such as a laptopor desktop computer, either within the vehicle or in the home or office.The computing device includes software configured to convert the digitalvoice messages into text. One such software application is DragonNaturallySpeaking Version 5.0, manufactured by Dragon Systems, Inc.,Burlington, Mass. Thus, the operator may dictate one or more messages ofvarying length while operating the vehicle, then have the messagestranscribed electronically in the home or office.

[0048] According to another advantageous feature, other audio and/orvideo data (e.g., music, audio books or “books-on-tape”, games, wordsand ideas, photographs, etc.) may be stored on removable memory unit 108at a computer or other electronic device (e.g., an MP3 player, laptop,etc.) remote from the vehicle. Unit 108 is then transferred to thevehicle for playback in the vehicle via digital memo recorder 104. Forexample, voicemails or meeting minutes could be stored on removablememory unit 108 and then listened to by the op rator in the vehicleusing digital memo recorder 104. Advantageously, digital memo recorder104 may be operated in parallel with any other audio system in thevehicle (e.g., car stereo, CD player, etc.). Thus, digital memo recorder104 may play back a recorded message, such as, meeting minutes, whilethe operator is simultaneously listening to music. Upon an importantportion of the meeting minutes, the volume of the other audio system canbe turned down or off.

[0049] According to yet another advantageous feature, digital memorecorder 104 may be used to record a two-way conversation taking place,for example, between two people at different locations in a vehicle, orbetween one person in the vehicle and one person outside the vehicle,such as, in the house. The two-way conversation may take place via awired or wireless communication link, and digital memo recorder 104 maybe configured to record from the communication link to the removablememory device.

[0050] Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, a digital memo recorder 130according to an alternative embodiment is shown. Digital memo recorder130 includes operator input devices 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, and 142having similar functionality to those of recorder 104. Digital memorecorder 130 includes a square-shaped body structure 131.Advantageously, a memory interface 144 includes a hinged receivingmember 146, illustrated in FIG. 10 in its retracted position andillustrated in FIG. 11 in its extended position. A finger recess 148provides easy access to allow the operator to unlatch hinged receivingmember 146 from its latch (e.g., an interference fit or other latchingmechanism). Hinged receiving member 146 provides greater ease ininserting and removing removable memory unit 108.

[0051] While the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the FIGS. anddescribed above are presently preferred, it should be understood thatthese embodiments are offered by way of example only. For example,various other types of digital recording devices may be substituted forthat disclosed herein. Further, future improvements in data storagetechnology will enable additional removable memory types and additionalfunctionalities. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to aparticular embodiment, but extends to various modifications thatnevertheless fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A digital memo recorder for a vehicle interior,comprising: a digital audio recorder coupleable to an accessory unit ofthe vehicle interior, the digital audio recorder configured to receiveaudible sounds from the vehicle interior; and a memory interfaceconfigured to receive a removable memory unit, wherein the digital audiorecorder is configured to digitize the audible sounds and to store thedigitized data on the removable memory unit.
 2. The digital memorecorder of claim 1, wherein the memory interface is configured toreceive a flash memory device.
 3. The digital memo recorder of claim 1,further comprising the accessory unit, wherein the accessory unit is avisor.
 4. The digital memo recorder of claim 1, further comprising theaccessory unit, wherein the accessory unit is a steering wheel.
 5. Thedigital memo recorder of claim 1, wherein the digital audio recorderincludes a digital voice recorder and a microprocessor, themicroprocessor configured to receive a digital voice memo recorded bythe digital voice recorder and to provide the digital voice memo to thememory interface.
 6. The digital memo recorder of claim 1, furthercomprising the removable memory unit.
 7. The digital memo recorder ofclaim 1, wherein the memory interface includes a hinged receiving membermovable between a retracted position and a second extended position. 8.A method of recording digital audio messages in a vehicle interior,comprising: receiving an audio message from within the vehicle;converting the audio message to a digital format; and storing the audiomessage on a removable memory unit.
 9. The method of claim 8, whereinthe removable memory unit is a flash memory device.
 10. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the step of receiving an audio message occurs inresponse to actuation of a user input device.
 11. The method of claim 8,wherein the step of converting includes digitizing an analog voicesignal.
 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising: accessing theaudio message from the removable memory unit; and playing the audiomessage in the vehicle interior.
 13. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising directly accessing one of a plurality of stored audiomessages in response to actuation of a user input device.
 14. Anaccessory unit for the interior of a vehicle, comprising: an accessoryunit base coupleable to the interior of a vehicle; a digital audiorecorder coupled to the accessory unit base configured to receiveaudible sounds from the vehicle interior; and a memory interfaceconfigured to receive a removable memory unit, wherein the digital audiorecorder is configured to digitize the audible sounds and to store thedigitized data on the removable memory unit.
 15. The accessory unit ofclaim 14, wherein the accessory unit base is part of a visor.
 16. Theaccessory unit of claim 14, wherein the accessory unit base is part of asteering wheel.
 17. The accessory unit of claim 14, wherein theaccessory unit base is part of a dashboard.
 18. The accessory unit ofclaim 14, wherein the accessory unit base is part of a steering wheel.19. The accessory unit of claim 14, further comprising a display coupledto the accessory unit base configured to provide visual information toan operator.
 20. The accessory unit of claim 14, wherein the digitalaudio recorder is configured to receive voice data from a two-waycommunication link, and the digital audio recorder is further configuredto store the voice data on the removable memory unit.
 21. The accessoryunit of claim 14, further comprising an input device configured tocontrol digitizing the audible sounds and storing the digitized data.